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The Expansion
of the EU
5th expansion
The Treaty of Accession, signed
in Athens on 16 April 2003
10 Additional Countries
8 Central and Eastern European
Countries
3 Baltic states, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia,
Hungary, Slovenia
Malta and Cyprus, both members of the Commonwealth.
They represent 75 million inhabitants, 15% of the EU’s
population before expansion (and 19% of its territory and
5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The expanded EU has 25
members, 450 million inhabitants
France has supported the expansion
from the very beginning, for political
reasons
For NZ
A challenge due to less familiar relations with the
new members
Risk of a EU more difficult to influence
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
 A slight increase in growth
 But an increase in the disparities in
living standards
 In France’s view, no increase in
EU taxes
The Euro
 New members will be able to adopt the euro but not
immediately, nor at a predetermined date
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
Total integration of the new members after 10 years.
Maintenance of agricultural subsidies at the same
level until 2013.
The EU is NZ’s second largest
trading partner
SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES
 Complete adherence to existing community regulations,
including environmental norms
Reciprocal fears
 Massive land purchase
 Industrial relocation
 Movement of people (migration)
 Except for Cyprus and Malta, joining the EU
does not give immediate rights to reside in
Schengen states.
 However, this will be possible once the outer
EU borders are deemed secure and adequately
controlled
 Extending EU borders to the East
 For France, the cost of expansion will
be 1 billion euros per year between 2004
and 2006, or 15 euros per year, per person
INSTITUTIONAL CONSEQUENCES
The expanded EU must be able to
function
For France, three objectives
1- More democratic
 The incorporation of the Charter of fundamental
rights in the constitution
 The extension of the European Parliament’s
powers
 The election of the President of the Commission
by Parliament, on the Council’s proposal citizens’
right to initiate legislation
2- More effective
 New definition of qualified majority
 Quasi-generalisation of qualified majority
 Reinforcement of the Commission by reducing its
composition and reinforcing the authority of the President
of the Commission
 Stable Council presidency
 Creation of a Minister of Foreign Affairs, reliant on a
European diplomatic service
 Increase in the EU’s powers
3- Closer to citizens
 Simplification of controls and procedures
 Transparency of the Council’s work
Clearer division of powers
For NZ
 Interest in the decision simplification process
CONSEQUENCES ON THE PLACE
OF THE EU IN THE WORLD
Development of an European
Defence Policy
 Agreement between France/UK/Germany to
develop an autonomous planning/steering capacity
of operations
 EU military intervention in Macedonia and Ituri
 Creation of a weapons agency in 2004
compatible with the Atlantic Alliance
FUTURE BORDERS
 The Expansion continues ...
 Bulgaria and Romania
 Turkey: 70 million inhabitants. 99: “is a candidate
state destined to join the Union on the basis of the
same criteria as applied for the other candidates.”
 Croatia has applied
 For new members’ neighbours, to the East (Ukraine,
Byelorussia, Moldavia, Russia) and to the South
(South Mediterranean), redefinition of relationships
CONCLUSION
 Public opinion in France: poll at the end of
2002, only 27% against expansion (but only 12%
completely in favour). EU 66% in favour, 22%
against
 Victor Hugo, in 1849: “A day will come when
all of the continent’s nations, without losing their
distinct qualities and their glorious individuality,
will merge closely into one greater unity and form
the European brotherhood.”